Jenny Hietpas

When it comes to dancing the night away, look no further than Higherground on Friday. Bridgman Hall is hosting the All Hall Fall Ball, complete with dancing and music.

“The All Hall Fall Ball is a semi-formal masquerade that is sponsored by Bridgman Hall,” Bridgman Hall Director Stephanie Van Pay said.

Students can use the ball as a chance to express their creativity and prepare a mask for the dance. Masks will be on display.

This year the ball will be different, because students can learn dances before it begins. Members from Two to Tango will instruct students on how to perform dance moves so they are prepared to move to various types of music during the night.

“I’m teaching (students) how to swing dance before the ball begins,” said sophomore Rachel Tham, a Two to Tango member.

Students should take full advantage of this social event because “it is a time to get together and have fun,” Van Pay said, adding the ball is for everyone.

For those low on cash, the dance is an inexpensive option.

“It is completely free to all,” Van Pay said. Guests are welcome, but they must be accompanied by a UW-Eau Claire student who has a Blugold ID.

During the dance, the disc jockey will play many types of music.

“(The DJs will play) 80s and 90s pop and, of course, hip-hop and rap,” Van Pay said. “There will also be a few country songs for those country fans.”

Jennifer Lee was the Bridgman Hall director when the All Hall Fall Ball started four years ago. It began in the Ramada Inn ballroom, 205 S. Barstow St., she said, where students lived before moving to the Holiday Inn, 2703 Craig Road, the following year.

Since there were no hotel residents last year, the ball moved to Higherground and was an even bigger success, Lee added.

“It’s been awesome every year,” she said. “It has grown every year since it started, and last year, 300 people showed up.”

The buzz about this year’s All Hall Fall Ball is growing, and Lee sees no signs of it stopping, she said.